New Shows and Festivals Announced, More Community Singing and Acting

Posted on June 11, 2022 by lisa

lisa-last-session-hands — Lisa Redford – Community Singing Sessions at the Millennium Library, Norwich

When I started the fun and free #community #singing sessions in Norwich libraries earlier this year, I didn’t think it would continue to grow. I’m excited to be starting a new #online singing group from June 6 – July 11 for Viewpoint – a mental health service user charity based in Hertfordshire.

I’ve also been really enjoying running my beginner ukulele and guitar courses at Wensum Lodge this summer term. It’s been so rewarding and fun to teach in-person again after so long and share my passion for both instruments. I’m also resuming my one to one music lessons in-person and have a new teaching venue: the beautiful Christ Church, just off Mile End Road at NR2 2AQ. If you would like to find out more, please get in contact.

I’m also continuing to enjoy a mixture of acting roles. I had a great time recently filming in a beautiful North Norfolk beachside location, part of a fascinating true story and playing a glamorous party girl. It’s exciting to finally see projects coming on to the screen and I’m really looking forward to seeing ‘This England’ on Sky TV later this year in which I play a journalist in one scene. Kenneth Branagh looking and sounding remarkably like Boris Johnson!

lisa-april-2022-70s-party — Playing a party girl in upcoming crime documentary

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Upcoming Gigs!

Really excited that I will be performing on Thursday 30th June at The Reindeer Norwich with wonderful award-winning Americana duo, The Weeping Willows from Melbourne, Australia. The free gig will be part of their upcoming UK tour which also includes a performance at this year’s Maverick Festival.

I’m also looking forward to returning to the lovely Reepham Festival; performing at Whitwell Station on Sunday, August 6th. More details on their official website and the shows page.

Guitar and Ukulele for Beginner Courses, Community Singing

Posted on March 23, 2022 by lisa

adult-learning-course — Adult learning courses at Wensum Lodge, Norwich

I’m really excited to be running beginner ukulele and guitar courses at Wensum Lodge for the first time starting April 25th. They are part of a programme of new and exciting creative, language and wellbeing courses which include Stained Glass; Botanical Art and Architectural Drawing; Latin; Philosophy; Textiles upcycling and alterations; Yoga; Polish language; Photography and Creative Writing. Here are some nice new flyers from Adult Learning for the courses and there are also taster sessions happening next week. To find out more details and to book, please visit here

taster-sessions — Introduction to Guitar and Ukulele Taster sessions

millennium-warm-up — Community Singing Sessions – Warming up

How joyous is this photo! The community singing sessions I have been running at Earlham Library and The Millennium Library in Norwich have been lots of fun to do and so rewarding too. To hear comments from people saying that I’ve made their day and really cheered them up means such a lot. I’ve also had some great song requests and it’s been lovely to see people coming back each week to sing classic songs together. Thanks so much to everyone who has come along to a session and all the kind words. There are video clips of some of the singalongs at The Millennium Library’s Facebook Page

forum-singing — Singing at the The Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library

folk-features-singing — A lovely piece at Folk Features on why singing and music means so much to me

I’m also looking forward to playing some gigs and festivals soon. Check out the shows page where I will be posting details of live shows.

lisa-redford-canopy-theatre-202100911-255_flickr — Live at the Canopy Theatre, Suffolk. Photo by Rodney Kidd

Fun Community Singing Sessions, Running Music Courses, TV Roles, New Live Videos

Posted on February 13, 2022 by lisa

I’ve been wanting to do something positive and inspiring for awhile that reflects my passion for music and singing and could really make a difference to those who are struggling with their mental health or loneliness at the moment. I’m really excited to be running some free, fun and informal community singing sessions at the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library starting Tuesday 22nd February 2.30pm – 3.30pm – also at Earlham Library at 11.00am – 12pm on the same day – and then every Tuesday for 6 weeks.

Try these new singing sessions to boost your wellbeing where we’ll be singing a selection of classic, well known songs to uplift, connect and make you smile. No previous experience is required and there is no need to read music. All are welcome – feel to come along and drop in on the day. Here’s a piece I’ve written about the sessions for my friends at All Things Norfolk on why singing and music is so important to me.

Come and join me to have fun, connect with others and improve our wellbeing through a shared singing experience!

guitar-closer-version-6 — Teaching Guitar for Beginners starting in April

I’m also really excited to be running two 10 week beginner courses in guitar and ukulele at Wensum Lodge in Norwich starting in the summer term for Norfolk County Council. I can’t wait to share my passion for teaching both instruments and to help you learn the basic skills to get you started with playing chords and strumming. More information about the guitar course is here

version-2 — Teaching a Ukulele for Beginners Course – Starting in April

It has been really fun, and a new creative challenge, to try some acting and work as a supporting artist recently on a variety of drama and documentary programmes. It’s really exciting finally seeing some of the TV projects that I’ve worked on finally hitting the screen. Now on britbox, “Magpie Murders” which was filmed in beautiful Suffolk and where I played a nurse:

Also on Netflix is “Catching Killers” – being a cop!

Now showing on American subscription streaming service Acorn TV is the brand new series of Emmy Award-nominated mystery drama “Queens of Mystery”. It was a lot of fun to appear in episode “The Modern Art of Murder” Pictured here on set in London with brilliant actresses Julie Graham, Siobhan Redmond and Florence Hall.

“Let Go” Live at the Canopy Theatre, Suffolk. Jason French on fiddle

I’ve been going through some live performances from the past few months when it was great to play again to audiences. Thanks to Rodney Kidd for filming original song “Let Go” live from The Canopy Theatre, Hungate Church, Beccles, Suffolk for Martello Promotions~ a lovely headline show in September 2021. Jason French on fiddle.

Performing original song “Carolina Rain” from a lovely Women in Music Day at The Brickmakers Norwich. Jason French on fiddle. Thanks to Liz for filming.

A live solo performance this time. Always really nice to perform at Deepdale Festival in beautiful Burnham Deepdale, North Norfolk. Thanks to Karl for getting some footage of the show on iPhone.

Lisa Redford “Here Alone” Live at Canopy Theatre, Suffolk

Another performance from Canopy Theatre, Suffolk: “Here Alone” with Jason French on fiddle. More live performances on my YouTube channel.

New Video for Bob Harris and Under the Apple Tree, Headline Concert and More Shows

Posted on August 27, 2021 by lisa

Lisa Redford ‘Anything But Easy’ | Under the Apple Tree Session

Ahead of some live concerts, I’m excited to share this never seen before live session for Whispering Bob Harris #UnderTheAppleTree which has been uploaded to my YouTube channel.
Performing ‘Anything But Easy’ awhile back. The brilliant musician and dear friend Alan Cook on dobro. Thanks to Bob & all at #UTAT for the lovely memory & their support of #indieartists
Thanks for watching.

My first headline show in a long, long time is next month. Performing in Beccles, Suffolk for Martello Promotions who promote the finest acoustic music in the North Suffolk area. Tickets are available online here It would be lovely if you can join me for what will be a very special night. I’m also booking other gigs – all details will be on the show page.

I’ve been continuing to record and perform live acoustic covers for Rob Butler’s show on BBC Radio Norfolk. Some of them have been uploaded to my SoundCloud page and here’s a live video of me playing Bruce Springsteen’s anthem ‘Dancing in the Dark’

My various creative activities have included doing some more writing for Songwriting Magazine. My my recent feature is a review of Gary Barlow’s songwriting course for BBC Maestro. Check out the review here

I’ve also been doing some acting! It’s been really fun to be part of the cast for various shows including a history and music documentary series. Will be sure to reveal more details when they are broadcast. More photos on my Instagram

1930s-close-up — Part of the cast in a history documentary series. Details to follow.

rock-chick — Playing a rock chick in upcoming music documentary series

BBC Music Feature, Songwriting Magazine Article, IWD Broadcast, New Videos

Posted on April 30, 2021 by lisa

bbc-rob-butler-7430420 — BBC Radio Norfolk music feature for Rob Butler’s show

It’s been really fun to be part of a new regular music feature for Rob Butler’s show on BBC Radio Norfolk where I’ve recorded live acoustic covers from the 80’s and beyond, as well as Britpop tracks and Pride anthems. Rob previously featured the Future Radio fundraising single ‘This Fine City’ and interviewed me about it for Norwich City fanzine show The Scrimmage. So far I have performed six brilliant songs: the classic pop of Erasure’s ‘A Little Respect’, Tom Petty’s anthemic ‘I Won’t Back Down’, ‘Slide Away” by Oasis, ‘Inbetween Days’ The Cure and most recently ‘So in Love’ by OMD. I’ve also covered ‘Jolene’ by the one and Dolly Parton and you can see a live performance on YouTube as well as hear the version on my Soundcloud page Keep listening to Rob’s show (Monday – Wednesday evenings) for my next covers challenge!

Dolly Parton ‘Jolene’ acoustic cover

iwd-2021-6397264 — Broadcast for International Women’s Day

It was lovely to be part of a very exciting and creative broadcast being played across the U.K. for this year’s International Women’s Day. I was among 30 female artists from across the country invited to write & recorded a brand new piece in under a day to be broadcast on community radio stations around the country, including Future Radio. The full #internationalwomensday broadcast is now available to listen to online at SoundCloud – my original piece written ‘Wings to Fly’ is at 11:30 https://soundcloud.com/soundart-radio

2021-02-10-18-08-26-3101650 — Safe Rescue for Dogs feature for All Things Norfolk

I wrote about the IWD broadcast in one of my recent columns for All Things Norfolk. I also shared details of ‘One in the Crowd’ – acoustic charity single for Safe Rescue for Dogs – and it was lovely to receive airplay on various radio stations for the song as well as getting to talk about it and introduce it on a BBC Upload show – a show that showcases local creative talent of all kinds. Thanks also to Belles and Gals for this lovely article about the song and for having me perform recently for one of their #UKCMSA live-streams.

songwriting-magazine-spring-2021-8616622

After writing a feature for the winter issue, it’s lovely to have contributed another new article ‘Lessons Learned in Lockdown’ to the brilliant spring issue of Songwriting Magazine. The new issue is packed with tips, news, reviews, gear and interviews featuring Diane Warren, Teenage Fanclub, Hailey Whitters, Tom Grennan, Newton Faulkner, Peggy Seegar and more. Available at Pocketmags here

New Charity Song for Dog Rescue

Posted on January 20, 2021 by lisa



Safe Rescue for Dogs video

Please take a moment to watch this touching video that charity Safe Rescue for Dogs have put together, giving an insight into the amazing work they do rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming dogs from the UK and abroad.

I have written and recorded the music in the video to the words by one of the team Kelly Hare. On reading her touching and heartfelt poem I was moved to help them raise funds and awareness for all the hard work this very small team do to save dogs in dreadful conditions in the shelters.

If you would like to find out more and donate, take a look at their Facebook page. As a small charity they rely solely on the kindness and generosity of people to enable them to carry on rescuing and caring for the dogs. So lovely to see that there has been some money raised already.

I’ve also done a live acoustic performance from home on YouTube and written all about the inspiration and charity in a feature for All Things Norfolk

It was lovely to talk about the song and hear it played on BBC Radio Norfolk this week. Listen again to Rob Butler’s show here at 1.17. Also next week I’ll be part of a fun brand new music feature on his show, starting Monday with an 80’s cover.



One in the Crowd – live acoustic performance

Also now on SoundCloud here’s the audio for ‘One in the Crowd’ Thank you for listening
https://soundcloud.com/lisare…/lisa-redford-one-in-the-crowd

songwriting-mag-pic-2 — Lisa Redford in Songwriting Magazine for their #keepsongwriting pledge

I’ve written articles and interviewed acclaimed artists for the brilliant Songwriting Magazine. I have also written a feature in the latest Winter issue. Songwriting is the UK’s only publication dedicated to writing songs. Aimed at songwriters and their fans alike, expect up-to-date music news, reviews and artist interviews as well as lots of practical, hands-on advice.

Very proud to be a part of their #keepsongwriting campaign where they are sharing tips and quotes, as well as highlighting the importance of creativity through these difficult times and championing those who have vowed not to stop creating original music in 2021.

Happy New Year! Online Music Lessons

Posted on January 15, 2021 by lisa

Happy New Year! wishing you all a very happy and safe new year. Thanks so much for supporting me. Here’s a little version of original song New Year’s Day all about getting through a difficult time and looking to the future with hope. Full live studio version available on Spotify and Bandcamp Thank you for watching and here’s hoping for a brighter 2021

Huge thanks to Vanilla Magazine for this lovely new interview about my passion for teaching music and online music sessions 🎸🎤

Fancy having some vocal lessons or learning guitar or ukulele? I can also provide songwriting classes and help you develop any ideas. I would love to hear from you and am also offering special block booking deals.

Merry Christmas! New Videos, Songwriting Magazine Article

Posted on December 24, 2020 by lisa

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas. Thanks so much to all of you who have supported my music and teaching during what has been such a challenging year for so many of us. In the words of this lovely Greg Lake song which I have covered acoustically:

‘I wish you a hopeful Christmas.
I wish you a brave New Year.
All anguish, pain and sadness.
Leave your heart and let your road be clear.’
Keep safe and here’s hoping for a brighter 2021.



‘This Fine City’ Live Acoustic Version

Thanks so much to everyone who has supported fundraising single for Future Radio #ThisFineCity a song of hope and community during this difficult time.
I wrote the song on my acoustic guitar so thought I would share with you a live acoustic version of the song not long after I had finished it ~ thank you so much for watching and singing along!

I know we’ve been low, living the unknown
I believe within these city walls
We’ll rise above – it all ❤️

Huge thanks to all the radio shows that have played the song and interviewed me about it including Foz at BBC Radio Suffolk, The Acoustic Cafe Radio Show, Readit Radio Show, Acoustic Routes, Blues and Roots radio (online from Canada), Radio Nowhere (online from USA), Online radio Box.Reach On Air, CHBN, Forest Folk, Radio Stradbroke and many more mentioned in the previous post. I also chatted to Rob Butler for Norwich City show The Scrimmage on BBC Radio Norfolk and introduced the single on the BBC Upload show with Sophie Little: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08zgktw

I also did a nice interview for Vanilla magazine here

songwriting-magazine-winter-2020-cover-3320749 — Songwriting Magazine Winter 2020 issue.

As many of you know I love to write about music and songwriting and am excited to see my article On Location featuring in the new Winter issue of Songwriting Magazine
Inspired by the recent fundraising single for Future Radio which was written about #Norwich I have looked into how location has provided inspiration for various acclaimed songwriters.

The Winter 2020 issue #23 features Gary Barlow, Wayne Coyne, Bróna McVittie, KT Tunstall, Tom Walker, Elles Bailey, Blair Dunlop, Passenger, Mike Batt and more. Purchase through Pocketmags here

A little Christmas treat for you all! Just filmed some live acoustic session songs for my YouTube channel including original festive song ‘When Christmas Comes Around’ which was recently played on BBC Suffolk Introducing and BBC Radio Norfolk. I also played two older songs as special requests – ‘Turn Away’ and ‘When You Come Home’ – it’s been really nice to revisit some of my older material. Thank you so much for watching and all the support this year.



Lisa Redford ‘When Christmas Comes Around’

“This Fine City” Lisa Redford and Friends – Fundraising Single for Future Radio Out Now!

Posted on October 18, 2020 by lisa

this-fine-city-record-cover-lisa-redford-and-friends-v1-0-3834135 — This Fine City artwork by Gwenda Killick

So excited that fundraising single “This Fine City” was released on Friday ~ a heartfelt, anthemic celebration of #Norwich that I have written especially for Future Radio featuring a whole host of talented friends and musicians: Ecky Limon from the Blue Joanna (name checked in the song!), Scott Mathieson, Andrew Todd (amazing production!), Owen Sennitt, Yve Mary B, Callum Morgan from Morganway, Chad Mason, Hannah White, Russell McNamara and Teresa Gibbon.
Thanks so much to all the talented friends and artists – including many Future volunteers – who were a part of this very special project. Huge thanks of course to all the hard working team at Future Radio.
Please listen, donate and share the Bandcamp link below – all funds raised from the single will help Future to relocate to a new home – let’s help them find a new studio!

https://futureradio.bandcamp.com/releases

screen-shot-2020-10-21-at-13-16-46-7306223 — Article in the EDP newspaper. View online



“This Fine City” official music video

Already been receiving lots of great press for the single. Was lovely to be Story of the Day at Folk Features – Uplifting stories for Norfolk and Suffolk, brought to you by Emma Outten:

folk-features-9993545 — Article at Folk Features

screen-shot-2020-11-08-at-18-07-45-3247430

I’ve also written a column for my friends at All Things Norfolk about the making of “This Fine City” read the article here

So lovely that the song has already touched people and really resonated. Here’s a beautiful review from Richard Shashamane for his Norwich: Music City, UK Blog:

Immediately upon my first listening to this rousing celebration of Norwich and hope for the future I felt renewed optimism as well as being quite moved by the heartfelt love of the city so sincerely expressed in song. Joyous and triumphant in its hope.

lisa-redford-photo-7963660 — This Fine City video still

There has also been some lovely BBC airplay for ‘This Fine City’ over the weekend! Thanks to BBC Music Introducing in Norfolk and BBC Music Introducing in Suffolk plus the single was played on Stephen Foster’s BBC Radio Norfolk and BBC Radio Suffolk show on the week from 6pm. Listen via BBC Sounds. I have been recording a few interviews including one with Good Health Radio in Australia. This will available on Monday October 19. I have also been doing some interviews for local television including That’s TV East – video here Also this Tuesday October 20 Ecky Limon and I talked about the single on ITN News Anglia and played a snippet of the song outside the Blue Joanna.

anglia-tv-2617980 — Interview on ITV News Anglia

with-ecky-1213356 — Playing “This Fine City” outside The Blue Joanna, Norwich with Ecky Limon on guitar

Been doing lots of radio interviews to promote the single and it was lovely to chat to David Eastaugh for arts and culture show Platform, all about the inspiration for the song. You can hear the interview at: https://futureradio.co.uk/futureplayer/mixcloudplayer/3632

Huge thanks to Jamie at Grapevine Live Magazine – remember performing for the Grapevine Live stage at Ipswich Music Day – for a lovely interview all about the single here

As you know, I love to have my songs remixed and it’s been wonderful to work again with Neil Timbers who has done a brilliant electronic remix of ‘The Edge of Love’

Listen to the audio here on SoundCloud

Fundraising Single for Future Radio, Collaboration Projects

Posted on October 3, 2020 by lisa

I’ve been busy with a few creative projects and excited that I have written an original song for Future Radio in Norwich. The photo above is from a video shoot for the #fundraising single release. “This Fine City” will be released to coincide with #LocalRadioDay & features a host of talented friends and artists from Norfolk. More news soon!

I love to collaborate on music projects and also to perform other artists’s material – it really inspires me and my own writing – so I’ve really enjoyed interpreting this lovely, heartfelt song written by Kate Raison, a talented songwriter who I met during Chris Difford’s Songwriting Retreat last year. Here is also an acoustic demo of the song that I’ve recorded: https://soundcloud.com/user-466575967/dont-tell-me-that-you-love-me-tonight-demo-sung-by-lisa-redford

Thrilled to be in the beautiful new video by artist Megan O’Neill for her single Fire with Fire — a powerful and amazing celebration of women and women in music – alongside incredible female artists, please watch: Thank you Megan for this incredible message



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“heartfelt lyrics, beautiful vocal harmonies & a gentle melody. Lisa brings out first class lyrics alongside haunting string instruments & scenic visuals.” Huge thanks to worldwide platform Music Crowns for a brilliant review of Edge of Love:

‘The Edge of Love’ delivers heartfelt lyrics and beautiful vocal harmonies

Really enjoyed the recent Sheryl Crow BBC Radio 2 #livefromhome #festival performance ❤️🎵 always loved this fantastic song of hers “Sad Sad World” from a special edition of her self-titled album released in 1996.

Not long before #lockdown my CD’s were made available to buy at HMV Norwich – check them out now and support #liveandlocal brilliant how they’re supporting local independent artists.